Book signing -- Author Michael Farris Smith of Columbus will sign his novel "Rivers" at Books A Million in Leigh Mall, Columbus, from 2-3:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec 2

Starkville Christmas Parade -- "Christmas in Who-ville" is the theme of Starkville's Christmas parade featuring Mississippi State cheerleaders, the Famous Maroon Band, floats and more at 6 p.m. For more information, go to visit.starkville.org/festivals-events/christmas-in-starkville.

West Point Christmas Parade -- West Point's 6:30 p.m. parade celebrates "Sounds of the Season." The city Christmas tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m. in Sally Kate Winters Park. To enter the parade or for more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.

Tuesday, Dec. 3

Criss Concert -- The Starkville-MSU Symphony is in concert at Starkville's First Baptist Church, 106 E. Lampkin St., at 7:30 p.m. The performance, which is free, features compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach and Henry Purcell.

Wednesday, Dec. 4

Lyceum Series -- The Mississippi State University Lyceum Series presents The Irish Tenors at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium on the MSU campus. Tickets are $15 (plus fee) at lyceum.msstate.edu, or call 662-325-2930.

Wednesday through

Thursday, Dec. 4-5

41st annual Holiday Bazaar -- This annual event featuring more than 90 vendors with hand-crafted items is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane. For more information, contact the Sportsplex, 662-323-2294.

Thursday, Dec. 5

Christmas concert -- The Columbus Arts Council presents a Christmas Celebration with Stephanie Jackson and friends, featuring Jackson on guitar, Courtney Blackwell on cello, Connie Wise on flute, Jim Beaty on upright bass and Bob Damm on percussion. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show at the Rosenzweig Arts Center's Omnova Theater are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.

Palmer Home Open House -- Palmer Home for Children hosts a Christmas Open House from 6-8 p.m. at 912 11th Ave. So., Columbus. All are welcome. For more information, call 62-328-5704.

West Point Music Coterie -- The pubic is invited to "The Spirit of Christmas," a program of traditional Christmas music at 7 p.m. at First Christian Church in West Point, located on the corner of Broad and Court Streets. The Coterie is directed by Ginger Fowler. A reception will follow.

10th annual Wassail Fest -- Downtown Columbus lights up with festivities as participating businesses vie for the title of Wassailmeister from 5-8 p.m. Cast your vote while enjoying live music, holiday activities and prizes. Don't miss the lighting of the city Christmas tree at 6 p.m. next to the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.

A W Christmas on Campus -- After Wassail Fest, join Mississippi University for Women students, faculty and staff from 8-10 p.m. for caroling and refreshments as the campus is lit for the holiday season. Festivities begin near the front gate on College Street. For more information, call 662-329-4750.

Caledonia Christmas Parade -- Join the festivities when the Caledonia Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the Town Hall, 662-356-4117.

Holiday choral concert -- Mississippi University for Women's Department of Music presents a choral concert at 8 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. For more information, contact the department, 662-241-6399.

Sunday, Dec. 8

Christmas Tour of Homes -- The Starkville Civic League presents homes decorated for the season, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Refreshments are served at the Starkville Public Library from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $20, available in advance at The Book Mart, Designers' Gallery and Greater Starkville Development Partnership in Starkville and Civic League members, or at the library on the day of the tour. For more information, contact Jamie Stubbs, 662-323-0917.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

Columbus Sings "Messiah" -- This much-anticipated annual event combines regional voices and instrumentalists to perform Christmas portions of Handel's "Messiah" at Annunciation Catholic Church, 823 College St. at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Free tickets to ensure seating will soon be available at the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and Party and Paper.

Tuesday through Saturday, Dec. 10-14

"A Christmas Cabaret" -- Starkville Community Theatre presents this entertaining musical revue at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for college students and $5 for those under 18. For more information, contact the SCT box office, 662-323-6855.

Thursday, Dec. 12

Festival of Trees -- The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library hosts an Open House from 4-6 p.m. featuring a "forest" of trees decorated for the holidays. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.

Friday through Sunday, Dec. 13-15

"First Christmas" -- First Baptist Church of Columbus recreates an interactive Bethlehem marketplace, complete with merchants, soldiers and the humble stable. The event is open to the public from 6-8 p.m. on the grounds of The Shops at Brickerton on Military Road. There is no charge to attend. For more information, contact FBC, 662-328-3915.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Columbus Christmas Parade -- "Candy Canes and Christmas Carols" is the theme of Columbus' Christmas Parade which begins at 5:30 p.m. and features the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales, floats, marching bands and much more. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.

Sunday, Dec. 15

Girlchoir concert -- The Columbus Girlchoir is in concert at Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Musical evening -- Pianists Julia Mortyakova and Rachel Delk and tenor Zane Lynn present a Columbus Music Study Club recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus. The program is free to the public. For more information, contact the MUW Department of Music, 662-241-6399.

Thursday and Friday, Dec. 19-20

Dinner Theatre -- A dinner theatre production presented by Simeon Weatherby and the Dinner Theatre Staff will be held at Trotter Convention Center at 7 p.m. each night. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25, available through dinnertheatre2013.bigcartel.com or by phone at 601-383-2194. The event is made possible by the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Saturday, Dec. 21

"A Christmas for Columbus" -- Christian recording artist David Phelps joins an area-wide mass choir at Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus at 7 p.m., hosted by United Methodist Men of First United Methodist Church. Artist Circle tickets are $30; general admission $20, available at FUMC, First Baptist, Fairview Baptist, First Presbyterian and Pleasant Hill Baptist churches. Proceeds benefit Loaves & Fishes, Last House on the Block and the Good Samaritan Medical Clinic. For information, visit columbusfumc.org or contact Andy Tentoni, 662-352-1844.